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Friday, October 23, 2015

pickle progress

Another trip to Chicago means more progress on my pickle quilt. So named, because this block is a variation on the classic pickle dish block. Pattern by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts.

I opted to paper piece all the points, which allowed me to use scraps with only a cursory cutting. Couldn't believe how long it took me to work through enough points for a throw sized quilt though. Wow, this pattern is a lot of piecing!

Today I've finished sewing the curves, chain piecing without pins. Feeling fancy! I hadn't sewn curves in awhile, so I used pins the first few times to get a feel for it again. A few passes without pins and some unpicking reminded me how to slightly stretch the convex pieces to make them match up. It feels a little like magic when it all comes together.

Now I'm cutting into my wildest scraps for the filler squares and making a pile of scraps to destash as I go. If I don't like it enough to include in this quilt, I won't be keeping it! I had initially cut some scraps for this quilt that I'm actually unsewing now, purging the quilt of their presence. Why include the scraps that rub me wrong when there is so much fabric to love?

This quilt is going to be one of my favorites. I'm totally copying Rita's take on scraps + value, so no credit due here, but I do so enjoy the process and the results. Thanks, Rita!

Rita comes up with some of the most incredible blocks and ideasI love her use of colors. Yours is just as free and exciting.I love this quilt. Yes, it looks tedious, but the end result with be incredible

I'm in agreement with you about not using fabric you don't like in a quilt. Every time I've done it, I've regretted it! I don't see a good reason to dislike parts of an otherwise lovely piece of work I spent so much time on, every time I look at it. Some people can love all the fabrics or view each piece in terms of color or value, but I just can't. What you've got here is looking fabulous!